You’ve probably heard that alcohol and fasting don’t mix. Many people think that drinking alcohol while intermittent fasting is dangerous, or at least not recommended. But is this really the case? Can you have a drink while fasting and remain healthy?
Let’s take a look at the facts. Whether you call it “empty calories” or just an unhealthy habit, almost everyone agrees that alcohol isn’t great for you if consumed in excess. Most of us also know that drinking alcohol slows down your metabolism and can cause dehydration (which isn’t ideal when fasting). But is it safe to drink while intermittent fasting? Let’s take a look…
Is it safe to drink alcohol while intermittent fasting?
In short: Yes, it should be perfectly safe to drink alcohol while intermittent fasting. In fact, you’ll likely find that drinking while fasting goes down much easier than a full meal, helping you get right to your next meal without feeling overly full. That being said, drinking while fasting isn’t without its drawbacks.
We’ll get into those below. Alcohol can slow down your metabolism, hinder fat loss, and lead to a number of other health issues. And if you abuse it, it can even be lethal. If you’re going to drink while fasting, make sure you follow a few simple rules to make sure you stay healthy.
The effects of alcohol on the body
While alcohol is often seen as a harmless beverage, it can have serious consequences on the body, especially when consumed in large quantities. Alcohol can damage the liver, pancreas, the lining of the stomach, and the heart. It’s also known to affect brain function and cause drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.
These symptoms can become more pronounced when fasting, which can be dangerous as you have no way to replenish your body’s fluids. Many people experience impaired judgment when drinking heavily, which can lead to poor decision-making. This can make it more difficult to adhere to your fast and complete your fasting regimen.
Should you drink alcohol while intermittent fasting?
This is a tricky question, but there are definitely points to consider before making your decision. As we’ve seen, alcohol can have detrimental effects on the body, particularly the digestive system. This is especially true when fasting, as your metabolism is already slowed due to the lack of ingested calories.
If you combine these two factors, you could experience digestive issues, nausea, or vomiting. This can put a serious damper on your fast and make it hard to complete. Ideally, you want to be able to drink while fasting and still make significant progress towards your weight loss or health goals.
If you experience dangerous side effects such as blacking out or vomiting, you’re going to have a hard time moving forward with your fasting schedule.
How to Drink Alcohol While Intermittent Fasting
If you’ve decided that drinking alcohol while fasting is right for you, there are a few things you can do to minimize the negative effects. First, make sure you’re drinking the right kind of alcohol. Go for beverages that are lower in alcohol content, such as wine or a light beer.
These have less alcohol than harder drinks like whiskey or rum, making them safer to consume while fasting. Next, drink slowly. Sipping your drink will help you consume less alcohol, giving your body time to process it. And lastly, pair your alcohol with food.
Doing so will slow down the absorption of the alcohol, making it less likely to negatively affect your body.
The Bottom Line
As we’ve seen, drinking alcohol while intermittent fasting is generally safe, though there are some considerations you should make before doing so. Make sure your alcohol of choice is lower in alcohol content, sip slowly, and pair your drink with food to slow down the absorption rate.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to drink while fasting without negatively affecting your health. That being said, drinking while fasting isn’t ideal, and you shouldn’t overdo it. Ideally, you’ll want to abstain from alcohol while fasting, but if you can’t, remember to drink responsibly.
